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September 10, 2015November 3, 2015

Lorie-Ann & Brett

The Happy Couple

Lorie-Ann is the Director of Specialty Clinics at Duke Health System. A native of Long Island, NY, she came to North Carolina for college at Duke University. After graduating, she moved away, but decided to move back to North Carolina before long. Brett is the Dean of Students at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and he’s a High Point, NC, native with deep roots in the area. Their autumn-themed November wedding was filled with personal touches and references to the places that matter most to the fun-loving, outdoorsy couple.

Lorie-Ann and Brett’s invitation printed in gold (designed at South in Chapel Hill), along with their wedding rings; the bride’s dress, found at Traditions by Anna in Raleigh, hanging in the window; the wedding ceremony in Proximity Hotel’s Social Lobby

What Made This Wedding So Special

Lorie-Ann’s parents, Melvin and Gertrude, have been married for 42 years, and their anniversary is in November. Lorie-Ann says, “Their relationship has truly been an inspiration to us, and even though we did not initially plan to have a November wedding, it is extremely meaningful to us that our anniversaries are just a few days apart.” Brett and Lorie-Ann especially appreciated that so many of their friends and loved ones were able to celebrate their happy occasion. Brett’s eight siblings are spread far and wide; one of his sisters and two brothers were in the bridal party, and the others were in attendance. In addition, many of Lorie-Ann’s friends and family members – as well as the minister who married the couple – traveled from Long Island to be there.

Lorie-Ann’s parents, Gertrude and Melvin, also were married in November…42 years ago

The Design & Color Palette

Lorie-Ann’s favorite season is autumn, and the rich, inviting colors of the fall were her inspiration for the wedding décor. Gold-painted branches, gold flatware, gold-beaded chargers, gold Chiavari chairs, and even an elegant gold wedding cake brought warmth to the reception dinner in the Weaver Room. The bride’s two favorite colors provided the accents: bouquets, boutonnieres, cake decorations, and table arrangements featured deep fuchsia roses; and the bridesmaids wore dresses in a sophisticated navy blue hue.

The Food

Immediately after the ceremony, guests enjoyed the bride’s and groom’s signature drinks—the Blushing Bride, a sparkling cocktail of citrus vodka, elderflower liqueur, and cranberry juice; and Pebble Beach, made from citrus vodka and blue curacao—along with passed hors d’oeuvres:

Potato and parsnip croquettes with leek mustard cream

Mini crabcakes with remoulade sauce

Baked brie with fig, honey, and orange marmalade

Shrimp remoulade shooters

After the bride and groom were announced and first dances were complete, dinner was served, beginning with a salad of seasonal greens with house vinaigrette or creamy herb dressing, then guests’ choice of:

While her bridesmaids helped her relax and get ready for the ceremony, Lorie-Ann received a special delivery from the best man: a diamond initial necklace Brett had chosen for her, along with a heartfelt card.Brett was assisted by his best man, Patrick, in getting ready–someone had to tell him the Cowboys jersey just wouldn’t suit! He reveled in the watch he received as a wedding gift from Lorie-Ann, repeatedly saying, “I love this woman!”

How They Met

Lorie-Ann decided to join eHarmony just in the nick of time: Brett was on the verge of canceling his subscription. Lorie-Ann showed up as a “flex match” for Brett because she lived in Durham, not High Point, but the two began communicating via eHarmony and before long had their first date at Six Plates in Durham. (The pair discovered they had lived right around the corner from one another in High Point a few years back, but their paths had never crossed!)

Lorie-Ann and Brett had a “blind first look,” meeting but not seeing each other just before the wedding. Laughter and love filled the room as the couple whispered “I love you,” and Lorie-Ann even stole a quick kiss.

The Proposal

Lorie-Ann is big on surprises. She loves to plan little—and big—ones for Brett, but this time, the surprise was on her! In honor of Brett’s October 1 birthday, the two had planned an adventure-filled weekend of camping and kayaking, followed by a round of golf at Brett’s favorite course, then a lovely dinner. On arriving home, Lorie-Ann discovered that Brett had a gift for her, too. She opened the gift bag to see a photo frame, and while she was expecting to find a framed photo of Brett and her, she wasn’t at all expecting that photo to be inscribed with a message: “Will you marry me?”

Lorie-Ann was escorted up the aisle by her father; Brett was overcome with emotion as he watched Lorie-Ann make her way to him; the ceremony underway (bride’s veil, also found at Traditions by Anna, featured tiny rhinestones).The couple were married in Proximity Hotel’s Social Lobby, beneath a crystal-leafed wedding arch. White rose petals surrounded white candles in the aisle.The couple share a quick smooch…and another…and another. Note the groom’s signature cocktail, a sparkling blue concoction of citrus vodka and blue curaçao, named “Pebble Beach” in honor of Brett’s passion for golf. Lorie-Ann’s bouquet and other florals were in a deep fuchsia–her favorite color–to provide an elegant and dramatic pop of color.Each table at the reception was named for a place special to Brett and Lorie-Ann, including “Six Plates,” for the Durham restaurant where they had their first date; “Jordan Lake,” where they like to hike; and “Washington Duke Golf Course,” their favorite place to play golf.Each table was stocked with a selection of pens and smooth stones; guests were encouraged to write little messages for the bride and groom. Lorie-Ann and Brett now have their collection of these special messages on display in their home.After a first dance, dinner was served; toasts by best man Patrick, maid of honor Jamie, and other friends and family members provoked laughter and tears; the happy couple cut their cake, created by Delicious; guests enjoyed dancing to music provided by K2 Productions.Lorie-Ann and Brett leave Proximity Hotel through a floating sea of bubbles blown by well-wishers. They went on a mini-honeymoom to Savannah, Georgia, and plan an anniversary trip further afield sometime this year.

The Wedding Magic Makers

Lorie-Ann complimented the QWRH staff, saying, “Their people are great to work with. I wasn’t one of those people who had already thought of every detail … I didn’t have an idea of the logistics, and they were really patient walking us through the steps, meeting us at convenient times, and giving valuable feedback.” She also said that QWRH coordinated beautifully via Skype with the couple’s wedding planner, Courtney Carter, who lives in Louisiana.